Why did you decide to become a mentor?

I decided to become a mentor because mentorship has been one of the most powerful drivers of my own growth. Early in my career, I learned a lot through colleagues who informally guided me, but things shifted when I began investing in professional mentorships. I was fortunate to learn directly from leaders at top tech companies such as Netflix, Microsoft, and Slack. Having access to those mentors helped me sharpen specific skills, prepare for promotions, and successfully navigate the transition from IC to Engineering Manager in 2022. Those experiences showed me how transformative mentorship can be when it’s focused and intentional. They also shaped how I show up as a leader — listening more carefully, asking better questions, and empowering others. Now, I want to give others the same advantage — helping them accelerate their growth and navigate their careers with confidence.

How did you get your career start?

My career started in a very nontraditional way. I studied music in university, but eventually realized it wasn’t the path I wanted to pursue long-term. Leaving university gave me the chance to start fresh in tech, though it also meant I had to build my education from scratch. I threw myself into online courses, cold-messaged people for advice, and showed up at meetups and hackathons to learn from the community. I made it a point to surround myself with people I could learn from, and that mindset of seeking mentorship wherever I could find it shaped my early growth. Through that mix of self-study and informal mentorship, I landed my first internship at a small startup — the break that set my career in motion. Today at Apollo.io, I’m grateful to be surrounded by incredibly smart people and continuing to learn every day.

What do mentees usually come to you for?

Mentees usually come to me at key transition points in their careers — either breaking into tech for the first time or stepping up to the next level as engineers. Since I made the leap into tech myself, I understand the challenges career shifters face — from dealing with overwhelm and distraction to finding focus and building habits that lead to real progress. And for those already in tech, I bring my own experience of navigating growth: learning what it takes to earn back-to-back promotions and making the shift from IC to Engineering Manager before returning to a senior IC role. I usually start by getting to know a mentee’s goals and learning style, then we create a plan together and build habits around it.. My approach is very Socratic — I ask questions that encourage reflection and problem-solving, helping mentees grow more confident and independent with every step.

What's been your favourite mentorship success story so far?

My favorite mentorship success stories often happen in sessions where a mentee brings in a real challenge — sometimes it’s technical, other times it’s focused on soft skills like collaboration and communication — and together we take the time to think it through. These sessions aren’t about me handing over an answer, but about creating space for reflection and exploration. What makes them a success is watching the mentee shift from feeling stuck to discovering a path forward on their own. That “aha” moment, when clarity clicks, is incredibly powerful. What mentees often tell me they value most about our mentorship is the style — not quick fixes, but space to grow their confidence and independence as problem-solvers. For me, that transformation is the most rewarding part of mentorship.

What are you getting out of being a mentor?

One of the biggest things I’ve gotten out of being a mentor is learning how to be a better listener. It’s easy to jump in with advice or solutions, but true mentorship requires slowing down, hearing someone’s challenges fully, and asking questions that guide them toward their own answers. That practice has made me more thoughtful not just as a mentor, but also in my work as an engineer and leader. Beyond developing my own skills, what keeps me coming back are the “aha” moments I get to witness in my mentees — those shifts when something clicks and they suddenly see a problem or themselves in a new light. Those moments are incredibly energizing and remind me that mentorship isn’t a one-way street: while I may guide others, I also continue to grow and be inspired in the process.